A1.1 Properties of Water (IB Biology SL/HL)

Because electrons are unequally shared producing partial charges

Because water molecules are nonpolar and attract by London forces

Because ionic attractions form between water molecules

Because covalent bonds link different water molecules together

Cohesion creating strong surface tension

High specific heat capacity stabilizing temperature

Buoyancy pushing objects upward

Viscosity resisting flow around the insect

By water sticking to xylem walls helping pull water upward

By causing water to evaporate faster from stomata

By dissolving minerals into the phloem sap

By increasing water's specific heat capacity in xylem

Polarity allows water to generate electric currents in cells

Polarity increases water's viscosity until reactions stop

Polarity makes water nonreactive so enzymes are inactive

Polar water dissolves hydrophilic molecules so reactions occur in solution

To reduce heat loss because water conducts heat away efficiently

To raise viscosity of surrounding water for protection

To make the animal more hydrophilic for better swimming

To increase buoyancy by being denser than water

It makes water more viscous to reduce predator movement

It moderates temperature changes, providing stable habitats

It causes water to evaporate more quickly from surfaces

It increases rate of diffusion of gases into water

Adhesion to vessel walls causes clots to form

Viscosity increases, making circulation more difficult

Specific heat capacity falls, causing rapid cooling

Buoyancy changes and blood components float away